CFB analyst poses 5 'intriguing' questions for Bill Belichick after taking up UNC role for $50M

Bill Belichick's return to college football to coach the North Carolina Tar Heels is a sight not many predicted. However, that is the truth now, as the former New England Patriots coach signed a five-year, $50 million deal with UNC.

The 72-year-old will be tasked with transforming a basketball-first school into a football powerhouse. Appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," CFB analyst Marty Smith posed five questions about Belichick’s move.

"There's a lot of things I want to know," Smith said. "I want to know why this job is right for him right now. I would love to know how he would define success at the University of North Carolina. I would love to know what role his son's coaching future might have played in this decision.

"I would love to know what he learned in his year off that he might bring to this? I want to know how he believes his historic NFL success might translate into his goals at UNC?

"There's so many intriguing aspects of this decision for coach Belichick,” he continued.

Belichick’s NFL record is unmatched — eight Super Bowl rings (six as head coach), 333 total wins and 31 playoff victories. Yet, college football is a different beast, especially at a school better known for hoops. Smith called the hire “shocking” but acknowledged its boldness.

“For UNC to land him? I didn’t see this coming,” Marty said.

Bill Belichick is ready for challenges at UNC

Belichick’s move from NFL legacy to college football has excited the landscape. The newly minted coach of the Tar Heels had a composed tone during his introductory press conference, focusing on the realities of coaching in Chapel Hill rather than making lofty promises.

The former Patriots head coach openly acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from professional athletes to coaching younger players. He said:

“I’ve had an opportunity to coach young players at various points in my career whether it was other players on my kids’ teams or having an opportunity to be around University of Washington for multiple weeks out there. But again, it’s a process.”

New college football hires often come with grandiose claims, but Bill Belichick took a practical stance. He made it clear he was there to do the work, not sell dreams.